Free-agent halfback Stevan Ridley is set to begin visiting teams. (NFL Game Rewind)

Stevan Ridley’s free-agent process has been different than most.

The unrestricted running back saw the final year of his rookie deal end with ACL and MCL tears in October, and had surgery in November. And since then, he has spent his offseason rehabbing to be ready next September.

Just where the 26-year-old Ridley will be playing by then remains to be seen. But, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston, the former 1,200-yard New England Patriots rusher will begin to explore his opportunities with a couple visits this week.

Ridley, as Reiss details, is on pace to be medically cleared in approximately six weeks. Yet the LSU product, who was last spotted at the Tigers’ March 27 pro day, has been connected to a few teams thus far into free agency, including the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys.

The 5-foot-11, 220-pound back could present low-risk, high-reward value to an organization in search of a capable starter.

Ridley played in 52 games for New England, starting 25. The 2011 third-round pick amassed 2,817 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 649 carries over that four-year span, adding 146 receiving yards on 23 catches.